I have two revolvers now, a 4" redhawk in 45 Colt for field carry and a 3.75" birdshead New Vaquero in 45 Colt as my appendiceal carry CCW.

I am thinking about a third gun, for open carry around town.

I am a working man, so a full on 100% engraved coverage with grip panels from the first elephant I took in Africa as a teenager ain't happening. I have never been to Africa and I don't see taking an elephant happening in this lifetime.

Rather than Texas style BBQ I am saving up for more of a "bbq" gun.

So far I am thinking a 4.75" Colt SAA in blue/ case hardended chambered 45Colt of course with "about" 25% engraving coverage and "something" for grips.

The look I want is "this gun belonged to my great great grandfather and ain't it cool."

For the engraving I am thinking I'll spread the 25% coverage around pretty even with a little curlicue here and there all over rather than slather one area and leave other areas plain. I have looked at hundreds of images on google and haven't seen the engraving I want yet, I might need to ask Colt to do like 15% coverage or something....

I am torn on grips too. I really want elk with some bark or walrus ivory or something, but every one I talk to is telling me all those sorts of grips (big horn sheep horn, buffalo horn) will shrink or crack or peel or something. What I am hearing is for an item to last many generations I really need either plastic (no) or wood stabilized in an epoxy bath.

So, does anyone know of an engraved gun that looks manly and cared for, valued, without looking like a museum piece or overdone?

What about oak as a grip material? I have some really really nice hybrid oak pieces just loaded with rays, just amazing stuff when quartersawn. I understand oak is quite porous and somewhat heavy comared to walnut- but really, is it that heavy? Can the epoxy not fill up the pores completely?

Right now I am looking at burl maple, birdseye maple or maybe holly among the woods that have been used before, but I don't love any of them.

Probably two years to complete this project, assuming the dishwasher really does break next time it makes that funny noise.

Since this will be a BBQ gun and for open carry and will likely spend most of it's time holstered, I think the most important aspect will be the grip's as that will be seen the most. As far as engraving, I think a spot you should certainly get engraved is the back strap of the grip, because once again that will be seen the most.

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For the engraving I am thinking I'll spread the 25% coverage around pretty even with a little curlicue here and there all over rather than slather one area and leave other areas plain.

To be honest, I don't think that would look very good. I have seen engraving like that, and it always just looked unfinished to me and always left me thinking why did they even bother. I know engraving is expensive, and I can't blame you for not wanting to fork over the dough for a full engraving job because I know right now I certainly could not afford it. If you don't want the full gun in heavy engraving I would get the cylinder and the back strap engraved with maybe a little on the barrel.

Thanks for the opinion dragline, I haven't seen one like that yet. I can visualize the "why bother" look though, thanks.

Poking around on the net the 100% coverage is just not what I am looking for.

The 75% coverage, just too much.

I know this is going to cost, but I just wouldn't want that much on this gun even if it was "free."

The 50% coverage guns are starting looking like "just a little too much", and the 25% coverage guns are starting to look (to me) like they have "enough" engraving on 'em, I just haven't cared for the way it is spread around.

For a real deal BBQ gun it is a big time rule that it must be in a fancy looking rig. Preferably adorned with the hide of a critter that would make the PETA folks wet thier pants when they see it. A clone gun would work just as well. Then you can actualy afford to have it engraved, or a case hardened finsih applied. A nice set of sanbar stag grips, or well carved wood, with engraving that matches either the gun, or holster. Extra bling points if all 3 have a matching design scheeme. If you have boots, and a cow boy hat band that all go with the gun, and holster you are in buisness.

Ok all that asside. I would say as long as it looks real nice it would work well for you.

Oh and the old school Texas Rangers had a BBQ gun for the anual BBQ. It would be the flashiest one they have. (No keeping up with the Jones' on them. More like one upping the Jones', and the Smith's kind of gun.)

They would also have a nice hoster, and gun that were more toned down, but still real nice for going to court. It was called the "court gun."

Then they had thier work gun.

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I really want elk with some bark or walrus ivory or something, but every one I talk to is telling me all those sorts of grips (big horn sheep horn, buffalo horn) will shrink or crack or peel or something. What I am hearing is for an item to last many generations I really need either plastic (no) or wood stabilized in an epoxy bath.

This is simply not true. Ivory will shrink over 100yrs if not maintained but a light application of mineral oil once or twice a year is not much to ask. I suspect the same of sheep horn. It's all tough stuff and will last generations if cared for. Same with wood. Oak is far too plain for an engraved gun.

I agree with you on the engraving. I don't care for 100% coverage at all but prefer 50-75%. I don't see a problem with 25% either if done properly. If you're torn on coverage, you can be very specific on the parts you want engraved and where you want your spaces to be. I like engraving at the breech end of the barrel and at the muzzle but with some space in-between. While I think an unembellished hammer, loading gate, ejector housing or grip frame looks unfinished. I specified that I wanted those parts done, as well as the sides of the triggerguard and the "shovel". I don't see why you couldn't get that done on a 4¾" SAA for well under $500. I have a sixgun with Michael Gouse right now receiving 75% coverage in American scroll in the Helfricht style and it will be done shortly. Then it's going to Turnbull for finish work and the whole thing shouldn't much more than 4-6wks.

Bob I agree on the grips. Since I took that photo of my Cimarron, I have removed the polyurethane from the walnut grips and oiled them down. They now look like those from the 1800's. I always wondered "why make a replica of a peacemaker and put poly on the wood grips?" Come to think of it, all my wooden stocked firearms have an oil finish.
I see you have the same holster. Nice aren't they. Simply Rugged makes some nice cartridge pouches also. Their pancake holster, however, is not as fancy as the Mernickle. I have both brands of holster. SR's pancake does protect the gun more and I carry it in that when out in the pasture.

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Nice lookin' guns, Bob, you've got good taste in revolvers! And the grips are first rate, pretty as pictures...and while I do love walnut with a good grain or burl, I've seen some other woods that make up into a nice pair of grips...the ones below, gracing a NV in .45 Colt, I made up out of piece of crab apple from a friends wood pile. Love that flame grain...The others were cut from scraps laying about my woodshop....Best Regards, Rod

Crab Apple

Rosewood

Burl Walnut

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First off, I'm with you in that I don't like guns with 100% (or 75%) engraving. I do agree that 25% may not be enough if distributed evenly over the whole gun. 33-50% may be okay if tastefully done. Alas, my personal opinion is that I would weight the engraving more toward rear of the gun with just a tasteful touch on the barrel.

I would use polished bone for the grips, personally. The mother of pearl grips have always turned me off, but good polished bone or ivory (I'm a bit of a conservationist so I would prefer the bone) tastefully done would look good and last quite a while. If you went with wood, it wouldn't be oak. I would want a good grained cherry or knurled English Walnut personally. Also, I think contrast helps a BBQ gun quite a bit. For example, a blued or case hardened finish with polished trigger and hammer. I'm not into gold plated accessories, though.

+1 on the the matching holster. Plus, one other accessory would really set it off. The hat band was a good idea.

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